Electric-circuit controller.



"HQ W.'LBONARD.' f I ELEGTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLIUATIOH FILED APR. 6, 1906.;

Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

- '3 sums-sunny 2i wmvssss; v l/VVE/VTOR v ATTORNEY H. W. LEONARD. ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

AP'PLIOATIOH FILED Lin/6, 1906. I

' Patented NOV.30, 1909. I

Mums-sum a.

"mm/ms HARRY WARD woman, or BBONXVILLE, naw'i'oax. v

ELECTRIC-CIRCUIT CONTROLLER..

Specification of Letters Patent. Patentgd Nov, 3g} 19 Original application filedl 'ove mher 30, 1901, Serial No. 84,188. Divided Y V 1908. Serial 1%. $0,199.

and this application an A ril e,

To all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, Halter WARD LEON- ARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bronxville, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new' and useful Improvements in Electric-Circuit Controllers, of which the "following is a full, clear, and} exact specification.

This application is a division of my pending application filed November 30,1901,

Serial No. 84,188,reneWed fDecember 20,

1904, Serial No. 237,653, granted April 10,v 1907, Patent No. 817,719, and relates generally to controlling switches'and has a particular application to motor Elstarting rheostats, or rheostats employed.;w1th electric motors or other electrical translating devices, in which the resistance is employed notfor regulating the energy supplied to the motor or other translating device, but

-' "vent their improper operation,

mainly for gradually raisingthe energy at the terminals of the translzttingdevice to the full electromotive force.

My invention is also of importance where regulating resistances are used and to'pre- I have found in 'practic'eL-thati starting rheostats are frequently damaged by holding or permittingthe contact lever to remain on the init1al or starting contact or' contacts near the same with; all the resistance of therheostat or a considerable portion thereof. in;circuitl Iyhave also found,

that operators frequently close the circuit at the initial or starting contact of the rheostat and then return the-lever to the idle position, thusdra'wingan are at the initial contact. This also damages the rheostat. I have also foundthatsometimes operators close the main circuitl when the resistance controlling device which might be used as a regulator is in'an intermediate position. 'Ihis, of course, allows an excess ve and damaging flow of current.

The main object of my invention is to'devise a starting rheostat or controller, or to provide the present type of starting rheostats with a cohtrolling device, which will prevent this improper handling"of such I have devised many ways for carrying out this object, bothl n'iechanically' rheostats.

and electrically. I

The full torque current is the current which the motor takes whendeveloping its full rated horse. power. In starting any motor it becomes necessary to reduce a torque largerthan that due to the all torque current, because the motor and the load: have to be accelerated and during the eriod of acceleration, a larger current Wil be requiredathanthat necessary after the motor torque. In other Words, this starting. ac-

celerating current is fifty per cent. larger than the full torque current, that is, it" is one hundred and fifty per cent. of the full i torque current.

In order to revent the burning at the initial contact oi the-rheostat, due to the 010s ing of the circuit upon insutlicient surface, or" due to the backward movement of the contact lever after making the'first contact, which results in the formation of an are due to the full electroniotive force and one hun dred and fifty per cent. of the full torque current (when the motor has no counter electromotive force), the rheostat shouldbe provided with an auxiliary switch, by which the circuit is closed upon an ample surface and whichswitch will open. the circuit with a snap-action when the contactlever is returned to the initial position. This auxiliary switch should be beyond direct hand :control in opening and may be mechanically or electrically controlled by the rheostatcon tact le /er or controllin switch.

In my original application I have disclosed two forms of my invention, in which trolled. The resent application, relates to forms in Whic the control of the auxiliary switchis by electrical means, and more particularly to constructions in which a predetermined interval of time is caused to elapse before the automaticaction of the auxiliary switch or switches takes place. ,An advantageof this construction is that excessive currents which may exist only for a short. interval and which may not be harmful, are allowed to pass without ca sin the operationof the automatic device h t when com tinuedffor a-longer period; oriperiods', the

the auxiliary switch is. mechanically co'nl controlling devices will'be actuated and the I be tripped by reason of thecross piece h harmful. efi'ects which might. occur by a conl BIIgQFIlg, the extensions g, connected to tinuance of the conditions are avoided. l theatches.

-; My invention includes various other unopened, as by the force rods fl'sm ce the'latter'are drawn outwardly provements and advanta es which will be understood froigrthc fol owing description by the tension of. the springs, and which rods the surfaces 9 onthe sw1tches.- The d accom" n in drawin s. en a e Fi ure l ii ii diigrarnma t ic view showing 005% I one orm of niy invention; Figs. 2 to 8 in; falling of this corewlll cause the opening of elusive, are similar views of modified forms switch G. ThlS is accomplished by the cross piece k of core-h engaigmg extension .g" connected to latch 9 an of my invention; and Fig. 9 is a perspective ,'view indicating the construction of certain parts. 1 latch to be moved to release swltch G which Referring to Fig. ],'there is mounted on a I will then be quickly opened by the force of suitable base (not shown) a series of, conspring g? tacts a, to which the sections of the resist- Be erring again ance a, are connected. This resistance is will be understood, is arranged in any suitable manner beneath the base or Within a casing, and the sections of resistance will be insulated from each other and in some instances )rovidcd with meansjor absorbing the local energy devclo ed therein. B is a switch in the form a rheostat'. contact lever pivoted on the base,

The auxiliary switch of Eigi'lyis" an a matic circuit breaker of-theyt pesh" the V to -Leonard and @Ba 705,102, granted July 22, 1902. I

,G are inde enfently mov' lef witches cooperating wit j stationary I'oontacts between WlllCll is connected-an overload coil H, said switches and coil being connected in series between conductors I? and 'N. Switch catamarans servcs'as the auxiliary switch and 0 en the circuit between the rheostat lever and conductor P. I wire coil 'H whic isconnected he -f "In operating the controller of Fi conductors [P and Nthrough a suit operator first closes switchesG and sable" resistance. i Vi/hen theplunger of coil wiil'see that the core or plun erof fine wire ,H', w ich is normal! down, raised by an coil HQis raised into the coil. The closure abnormal current owin in I coil H, the G givesa full field to mo. latches holding switches, ,and G will both be. tri ued as is customary in doublepole circuit lireakers'and as in the Leonard; and- Ball patent ahoi ereferred to; The core of' coil ll is normally up under runningcom ditions, being, upheld against gravity by the currentflowlng in itscoil. It the solenoid ll be (lo-magnetized in any way, or lien i abnormally lowor lie-voltage condition cX- "l ists, coil I-l/ will be too weak to holc'lits core and in fallingv will tripthe latch of switch and cause the eastern be automatically opened. 4 The construction 1-" a to Fig. 1, a thermostatic coil H so that when contact is made at the platinum oints, coilHwill be short circuited an its core or lun er'will' dro trippingthe latch whic ho ds switch 8 closed and permitting "op To actuate thermo switch T, I pro.-

2; pottery tube'having'a resistance wound thereon, as shown in my patent N 0. 691,949, 7 granted. January 28, 1902. connected around all or mice of the rheostat, and-1t since the heater, when lever initial rheostat contact, will ture'circuit of themotor M ,its temperature will riser'apidly, caus- B remains on the be in the armaand its automatic op eningjscontrolled b ofswitchesG and of the rheostat, '-T e a 'causes Bis allowed toremain gosition, the heat of T will in a the entire resistarfce drop on the resistance heat upland if lever in the initial predetermina switch To to close the thus demagnetizing corerlro s and in s the switch G closed] hemovement of switch G throughits actuatilig spring opens. the circuit, to the motor an rheostat'. An over,- load current will; cause the coil H to raise its core and switches. 1 If an abnormally low or no voltage -,-condition exists; coil H wil be too. weak to hold its core and switch G will be 1 Various for heatin the switch T when currenhflows through t. e resistance, and the switch '1 might cause the coil Hto be 0t ier' ways In Fig. 5, I have T proxiinity to a part of the w of a suitable automatic switch or switches isinglicated iuFjg. 9; llerc meh switch G, G is'shown as harried by the ivotedwart g,'eacii pa1't'-: havin a handle tor manual closing. Each hart gins a projection (ii adapted-to be engaged by a latch y for oldin switch in a closed positiorn Theql atc es 9? of both switches.

' .coill-L-andits core 7a.:

e core is raiseili due to use. large anists Will filth Q6; current is shown as having a'core h, and the p ingijthermo switch T'to short circuit coilH heater T to lo time cause the thermostatic shunt around coil H;' i that coil, whereupon'its latch which holds trip the latches holding both .The switches will then .be c I of spring and the so cause the as its spring to throw it v zde a small clectricheater' T, which may v This heater is part of the resis'twill be seen that I across the line g. 1 the Gland tor 'M and closes the armature circuit throu h y .gfi e da I arrangements might be evised. 12,5-

deenergized in shown switch v resistance of, resistance will serve to heat the 13p heated instead of shuntingthe same as in the v case of Fig. 1. Alsoin Fig. 5, the arm B is Shown as spring pressed and a no-volta e magnet. F is shownin series with the fie d 19 winding of the motorifor holding the arm B -in its restrained position. "lheform of Fig,

5 is therefore adapted for use as a starting rheostat, whereas theform of Fig. 1 may be used as'a regulating rheostat.

Another modification is shown in Fig. 6, in which thethermostatic controlling switch T is connected in series with resistance a, and If th s res1stance, or any part thereof, 18

kept in circuit animproper length of time, itwill cause the thermostatic switch T tobe heated to such a degree that it will move and force the insulated conductor Jr to endropping of its core will cause themain circuit'to be opened at switch G." When th resistance controlling arm is in final iposition,

thethermostatic switch is cut out o circuit.

Instead of the thermal strip T for controllin tl action of'coil. H, a resistance T of iron, nickel, or other material having a high temperature coeflicient might be connected in series with coil H across the line as'show'n'in' Fig. 2. .'In the arrangement, of

this fi ure, the circuit'through coil H is closed y the closm of switch Gfland when the rheostat lever 7 initial ,resistancecontacts, the motor will start and begin to accelerate? After" being held there a proper length oftimc, the lever will be moved along the starting resistance i contacts thereby disconnecting the initial 're- ,of a second sistance contacts from the first contact which originally actuated coil H and this coil is then placed in series with theresistance .lf-'. If the rheostat arni B isleft for an improper length of time on the starting resistance contacts, the magnetisinofcoil H, due totho count of being'heated by resistance a in close roximity to it, would gradually be come ass as the time interval increased and 1n apredeterminable time the core or plunger of that coil would drop and trip the latch,

that holds switch G closed, whereu on that switch wouldo en. Another niccification .of thisidea is siownin-Fig. 3, in which a resistancefl which may be mounted on a pottery tube, as in Fig.1, is placed inside ottery tube carrying a resistance-T ot lrdn, nickelor other material having a hightemper atuie coefiicicnt. in this arrangement coil H and resistance T are connected in seriesacross the line and heater T is connectedin shunt around the own in series with coil H and is adapt ge the contacts k andshort circuit coil H. he coil H is ,thus'de-magnetized, and the ismoved to engage the then switch G is closed.

varied to vary the heating effect of T upon Various other ways of regulating the action ofT' and'T and ,H' in the arrange ment of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 might be devised without departing from the main feature of my invention.

In Fig; 4, the coil H is controlled by an automatlc switch. The coil is connected across the circuit in serieswith'the auto-- 'matic switch and a resistance. 'The automatic switch is preferably a double arm switch Sand 8 pivoted on a comi'r'ion pivot and provided with a spring tending to throw them. toward each other. Switch S ni'ake's' while arm 8 makes contact with a button connected to conductor N. This armis held contact with a spring clip connected with y coil H, and which clip holds it in position,-

by a latch 8' which is trippedby theaction i of the core or plunger of coil S Arm s'is not provided with anfoperating handle and is arranged to be movedonto its contact arm S.

The switch and coil are arranged as-a, time'switch by placing coil S in shunt on the entire, or partof, rheostat resistance a, in series with a carbon resistance S or other material of negative temperature coetficient. 'ln order to start theln'ioton the operator will first close switch arms a and S, and lVh en switch ml is next closed. the circuit conncctionstwill be as indicated. lithe operator should cut out the starting resistance too slowly, or if heshould leave much of'thc resistance in circuit a considerable periodof time, the carbon wouldbe heated, and the gradually increasing current which -will'fiow in this actuate the plunger of coil Sqand so release its switch which will operi the circuit of coil H. -Thc dencrgization of this coil would cause its plunger to fall and cii'ect the automatic opening of switch G. .If the operator mani ulatesthe arm B properly, this action will not take place. The automatic shunt circuit would finally Ibo sufiicient to switches G and G" will protect the circuit r against no-voltage and overload conditions as has previously been referred to.

In Fig/7, the coil S is connected across the first resistance contacts at the ,rheostat and a blind initial rheostat contach' A resistance T as iron or nickel, or other ma terial of high temperature coefficient, is con-' I nected between the same contacts-in parallel terrupt the main circuit. operator moves armB from the initial conbe su cient to raise its 'core' and 0 en the switch in the circuitof coil H an 1 so intact within a proper time, the resistance T will not become heated tosuch an extent that the coil S will raise its core and such of the circuit will not' i It will be understood that in" this construction, the closing of switches G,

automat'ic opening take place.

G "will cause themotor to start.

} Instead. of usin a resistance T as re ferred. to with re erence to Fig. 7, a time fuse might be employed, which when fused would cause the current to flow through coil Sf; This modification is shown in Fi 8, in 'which-thetime fuse is indicated at l8 between" the first two contacts and is fused after carrying the starting current a predete'rmined length of time.

,It will be noted that I have indicated a motor M in the drawings having a shunt field winding, and that the supply circuit closed 'on'themselves, giving a to both the'armature and shunt w nding is opened by means of thei automatic-sw'itch in the main circuit. Also'that when the circuit isopened, the armature and field are closed circuit for the field discharge.

' It is evident that my invention may. be embodied. in various forms of construction,

and that I'am not limited in the scope thereof except as indicated in. the following claims.

Havin thus described my invention, I

declare t at what'I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is,

-1. The combinat'on wlth a motor starting rheost-at, of a circuit breaker, means for automatically inserting resistance of .saidv rheostat independently of the movement of,

. said circuit breaker, and means for causing the automatic opening of said circuit breaker if the startin resistance is left in circuit a predetermine length of time.

2. The combination with a motor armature resistance, of means jgr openinq the;

circuit outside the resistance, and a evioe for automatically controlling said means,

said-' device being responsive to current flow through said resistance fora predetermined time interval independently of any change in the ohmic resistance of said mot/or armature resistance. v 3. The combination with a motor control;

The coil S is then con- If, however, the

for afl'ecting said switch upon the occurrence of no voltage,

length of time v I for deenergizing said -lie-voltage winding.

5. The combination of a 'rheostahaving a plurality ofste s of resistance an a mov desired numberof steps are cut in. and out of circuit, a no-voltage magnet for-holding said element in its restrained; position, a quick'actin circuit, an

length of time said resistance is in circuit for automatically eifecting-the opening of saidswitch... 1 6. The combination holdingtsaid element in its restrained posit on, fa quick-acting switch for opening the for automatically eflect-ing the ning of said switch, and means dependent upon the opening of'said switch,- said-latter means 'being efl'ective independently. of said -'novolta emagnetg v.7. 'he comhination of a ,rheostatic device ada ted for carry ng current a limited time on y,'means for-tempo rarily conne'ctingsaid device in a circuit and rarily: in series with said'first named dev ce, and means responsive to the length or time current flows through said first nameddevice I for controlling said protective device,

I said latter meanscomprising a deviceresponsive only when sl'id first-named device '18 connected in circuit. H 8. The combinatipn of a translating deing the entire current through said device, and means '-for. automatical y -causing the resistance, a switch-for openingfthe I energized v able element by t e movement of which any how 'of overload current .for efiecting the an electric; circuit, 110 I for cutting same but ,osaid circuit, a non- .rheostatic circuit proteetive devicelteinpo-:,..

opening of said circuit brea' erwhen a cur-- rent has flowed through aid-.devieeijor a certain l ng Qi'fi -w: 6 b ling resistance, a sw tch for main circuit, an electro-responsive winding I an electro-responsive winding 1 for affecting said switch' upon the occur: 5 current independently of}, '1' said first-named windin anda time tl mit f switch if Ba'idfresaid switch, and means dcpendent'upon the said resistance is-in 'circuit.

switch for opening the main" means dependent upon the of a rheostat a movable'element, a no-voltage magnet for in ci i a s dependent juponfjt he .length of t me said resistance 1s,1 v mi- 1;;

vice,*an electromagnetic circuit breaker, the actuating coil of sa d circuit breaker carryfor causing said secondcoil to be dependent upon time for its action.

11. The combinationl'of a tranSlating de vice, and a circuit breaker, said circuit breaker comprlsing means responsive to overload current, to no-voltage, and to a current less than the overload current after said lesser current has continued a predetermined length of time.

- 12. The combinationof a translating device, and an" automatic circuit breaker, said circuit breaker comprising two independently closable independently openable switches in series'withea'ch other, meansfor opening .both switches automatically upon redetermined overload: current; andmeans or opening at least one of said switches when a certain current flows for a certain length of time. a 1

.13. The combinationof an electric motor, and means for protecting the motor armature circuitcomprising an au'toma ticoverload circuit" breaker ofthe double arm type, and also comprising means dependent upon a time interval forv causing the automatic action of at least one of said arms of the circuit breaker.

14. The combinationof a translating device, a controlling resistance, a protective fclevice in series with said reslstance, means .comprising a responsive winding connected in parallel with said translating device for controlling the protective movement of said protective device, andineans for causing action of said latter means to be dependent upon a time interval.

15. The combination of an electric motor, a controlling armature resistance, and electr o-responsive means for reducing .the' current"fiow,said means comprising a thermostatic contact device responsive to the passage of a predeterminable current for a certain interval of time through said resistance.

16. The combination of an electric motor, a motor armature resistance, and electromagnet' responsive meansresponsive independcnty of any change of said armature resistance due to passage of the current for protecting the resistance against the passage of the normal current therethrough longer than a certain time interval. 1

17. The combinationpf an electric motor,

a starting resistance, circuit openingmeans for over oad current, and additional means for controlling the first-named circuit opening means for protecting the starting resistance against the passage of the normal current longer than a certain time interval.

18. The combination of a translatingdevice, a controlling resistance, a protective device for said resistance, and non-rheostatic means for controlling the movement of said protective device responsive to current fiow fora certaintime interval.

19. The combination of a translating delimit electro-responsive protective device responsive tocurrent flow through SEUd IQSIStw ance'and responsive independently of any of current through said resistance.

20. The combination of an automatic switch having a winding for controlling the action thereofi a device comprisinga movable resistance varying element in series with said switch, a contact making nonrheostatic device for controlling the current in said winding, said latter device being" responsive to an abnormal production of heat in a portion of the circuit containing said first device. v

21. The combination ofatranslating device, an automatic switch having a coil thereof in series with said switch, and time limit prdtective means, said means comprising a part connected in series with said coil.

22. The combination with a translating device, of an automatic circuit controlling movable element having two coils, one of.

said coils being responsive to overload current in the circuit, and the other of said coils being responsive to the heating eflect produced'in a section of the circuit in series with said element. 1 V

23. The combination of an electric motor, an armature resistance, an automatic switch in series therewith, electro-responsive means controlling the-automatic opening of said.

production of heat in a portion of the armaheated thermostaticdcvice for efiecting the opening of said switch after an excessive current has flowed a predetermined length of time.

25. The combination offan electro-mag rotecting the motor armature against vi'ce, a controlling resistance, and a time change in said resistance due to the passage .overload current, the overload response hemer, a resistance device in series with and protected by said switch pendent u'pon'lapse of time of current How time-controlledmeans for automatically armature from excessive current.

an automatic switch in series therewith, an

, independently of a change in the resistance netijc circuit protective 10.

' said means being 'ance, and a'ti'me limit thermoelectric .non-

netic c rcuit breaker, a resistance device in eeries with the switch of said circuit brealcer, "Qaid cii'cuitbreaker comprising an electrically heated thermostatic .dQYICQ controlled lay-the current in said'resistance device and of said resistance device. I 26. The combination of an electromagswitch, comprising no-voltage and overload responsive means, the-latteracting independently of the forand means dethroughsaid resistance device for controlling said switch.

27. The combination of'an electric motor, an automatic circuit'breaker the; coil and switch ofwhich carry'the entire current passing through the. motor armature, and time controlled means for causing the automatic opening of said circuit breaker.

28. The combination of acirc'uit breaker, means for causing automatically rcsp onsive to no-voltage and to controlling the switch.

after a certain time interval forcausingthe opening regards th said circuit breaker to be ing independent of the non-voltage response, and time controlled means for causing the automatic opening of the circuit breaker.

2.). The combination of a rheostat, and

protecting the rhcostat against burn out, dependent upon flow of current through the resistance of said rheostat and independent of, any change in the resistance due to the current.

30. The combination of a resistance, a protectlve device in series with said I'GSlSlZ-l rheostatic device for controlling said protective device.- 1

31-. The combination of an electric motor,

resistance, and conmeans folprotecting the motor armature rom noprotectin the Jannatnre startri of time, and anically functionthe motor ally related. means orprotecting taneonsl e passe e'of current The combination of an electric motor, armature resistancein series therewith, and. means do endent upon the time current effect of t e current thrqu the resistance h and independent of'any change in said resistaiice due to the passage of-the currentfor I automatic .actio 'i of said v 3.'Thecoinbination of an electric motor ania'utom'atic circuit breaker-having a coil. andtsivitch which carry the entire motor armature currennand meanscficctive'only of said switch; 34. bination of a circuit containc ing a, resistance, an electromagnetic protective devicein said circuit having a control ling Winding, and an electro-thermoatatic contact device responsive to the heat condition of a portion of said circuit, a contact of said device controlling said winding. .2

35. The-combination of an electric motor, a rheostatic controlling device for the motor armature, and a time limit controlled nonrheostatic protective device, said latter device heing responsive to an abnormal condition of a portion of the armature circuit'as cheat produced therein. I

36. The combination of an electric motor, a resistance, an automatic circuitcontrolling element, said resistance and controlling el'e ment and. armature of the motor being all in series \vitheach other, and means dependent upon current flow through said resistance" for'an undue length of t me and independ he com cut of a change in'said resistance duelto the passage of the current for automatically con trolling said element. i 37. he combination'of a circuit breaker,

" and means for causing said cir'cuitbreaker to i I j 1 automaticallyrespond to novoltage,}to e ccssive instantaneous current, and ace tain lc-'s current acting for some time. 138. The combination of a translating-def vice, and controlling apparatus com a movable protective circuit controlling ele inent, means for automaticall protective movement of said e ement "a time limit protective deviw 1e" passage of curren ng device for also rent, an a naive to abnormal t i ough; said translati causing the protective movement of said-ole,

In testimony whereof, 1 afiix time in the presence of two witn' Y 3 p H. WAR LEON-apt). lVitnesses-z 1 l L. K. Sacra, Geo. HorrnAN.

upon predetermined excessive .cur 

